Combined snap and testing switch for flashlights



Ftb. C. E. PRYOR v COIBINBD. SNAP AND TESTING SWITCH FOR FLASH LIGHTS l filed Jan. 12, 1951 d I9 INVENTOR l Clarence E- Pr or 2 B I wat HIS ORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES CLARENCE E. IPBYOR, F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY SNAP .AND TESTING SWITCH FOB FLASHLIGHTS Application med January 12, 1981. Serial No. 508,178.

This invention relates to a combined snap and testing switch for flash lights.

The invention resides in a switch for Hash lights serving primarily as a snap switch, in substitution of the regulation snap switch,

which is usually disposed on the cylindrical side of the casing which encloses the dry cells.

Pursuant to the invention, my snap switch l0 is located at the end of the casing, and preferably within the end cap of the casing. The end cap is formed of electrically conducting material and with or without insulation as appears more fully hereinafter.

The construction of my snap switch adapts it also for testing fuses of all t es, electric lamp bulbs, and other electrica devices, a'ttachments, etc., which are suitably dimensioned to the Hash light casing.

preferred form of my invention em bodies a length of spring wire member having its one end pro]ecting exteriorly of the Hash light casing, preferably through a slot in the end cap, the inner portionA of the wire extending spirally or otherwise within the casing and covered with electrically insulating tubing or otherwise suitably insulated, an inner portion of the cap or wire member being ex osed and located to engage the bot- Atom. o t e casing of a cell or cells serving as the source of electrical energy.

Cooperating with such wire member, I provide suitable means for receiving and retaining the exterior end of the wire member to locate its exposed portion in electrical contact with the end cap or otherwise with the electrically conducting Hash light casing, to thereby effect the closure of the electrical circuit through the lamp of the Hash light.

10 vSuitable means are also provided for receiving and holding the wire member to locate its outer end exposed portion out of electrical contactwith the Hash light casing, for the open-circuit position of the switch.

To check-up the integrity of fuses, electricbulbs, etc., one terminal of suchv article is placed in electrical engagement with .the ex` posed portion of the exterior end of the switch member, the switch member being in its open-circuit position and the other terminal brought into electrical engagement with the end cap or exposed portion of the l Hash light casing, in which circumstances the an electrical fuse in position for testing, the switch member being in its open-circuit position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation on line3--3 of Fig. l, the movable switch member being however moved to its closed-circuit position.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional .elevation on line 4--4 of Fig. 2, the switch member however being shown in its open-circuit position.

Fig. 5 is a. view similar to Fig. 4 but illus- Vtrating a modiication of vconstruction of the switch member and its open-circuit and closed-circuit retaining means;

Fig. 6 is a central sectional view of the upper portion of F ig. 5, showing the switch member in its closed-circuit position.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the inner face of my cap, showing a further modification; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the exterior of the cap of Fig. 7.

The Hashlight is `illustrated of the conventional design of substantially cylindrical casing 10 within which the one or more electric cells 11 are enclosed, the bottom of each cell casing being of exposed electrically conducting material. The lam 12, removably mounte in the usual socket support 13, at the center of the mirrored concave metal disc 14. The lens is indicated at 15.

My cap and snap switch is shown installed 10 bulb is indicated at at the oppositeor lower end of the flashlight casing 10, and is most conveniently embodied in an end cap y16 of metal similar to regulation end caps but arranged to coordinate with 5 my invention.

My cap and snap switch comprises in general a movable switch member formed in whole or at least in part of spring metal such as brass wire, etc., the outer end of which extends exteriorly of the end cap 16, theintermediate portion being disposed within the flashlight casing and suitably electrically insulated therefrom, the inner terminal or portion adjacent thereto being exposed for electrical contact under pressure with the bottom of the' cell casing. The exterior end isl exposed in whole or in part and suitable cooperating means are provided whereby the exposed wire of the exterior end is held in 2Q electrical engagement with the metal of the end cap for the closed-circuit position of my switch, and retained in its open-circuit position to position and hold the exposed end of the movable wire switch member out of electrical contact with the metal of the flashlight casing.

In the drawings I have illustrated two forms of my cap and switch member, one

form appearing in Figs. 1-4 and the ,other '3G form in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the end cap 16 is slotted as indicated at 17 to afford the projection therethrough of the exterior end 18 of the movable wire member 19 of my switch, vthe intermediate portion of the wire member being illustrated as constituted of the rectilinear portion 19a'extendin'g from exterior end 18 to the bend 19?) and further of the spirally coiled or equivalent portion 19o, its inner terminal 20 being arranged to electrically engage under pressure with the bottom of the lower lbnost cell 11 or a single cell, as-the case may 45. Such intermediate ortions, 19a, 19o are electrically insulated om the metal of the end cap 16` and of the metal of the flashlight casin 10 as by means of electrical insulating or tu ing popularly known as spaghetti, or other suitableinsulating material, the inner terminal 20 being exposed in whole or in part to effect the above stated electrical engagement. The retaining means for the closedcircuit and open-circuit positions of the ter- .minal portion 18 of my movable wire member in the form illustrated in Figs. 1-4, comprises the disc 21 of insulating fibre 'or like suitable material which is molded or otherv wise shaped to' provide the locking lug 22,

A 0 seeFigs. 1, 3 and 4,whereby when the exofthe wire switch member eiects electrical contact under pressure of the metal of the wire at the exposed portion of its end 18 with the metal of the end cap 16, for its closed-circuit position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, whereby the circuit from the cell or cells through the wire member 19 is completed through such pressure contact, thence through the end cap 16, the metal of the flashlight casing 10, the metal disc 14, and thence to the outer terminal of the lamp bulb 12. To provide for the resilient effect or fulcrum for the movable Wire switch member 19, the disc 21 is notched at a suitable location, see 25, usually substantially opposite to the location of the slot 17 in the end cap 16, the bend 196 of the movable wire switch member 19 being received therein, the insulated spiral or other contoured intermediate portion 19a of the wire switch member frictionally engaging the end cap 16 or otherwise to be substantially retained in fixed relation relative to the end cap 16.

' The arrangement set forth in Figs. 5 and 6 corresponds generally to that illustrated in Figs. 1-4 and like parts are designated by like reference characters. However, the movable -wire switch member19 is oset as indicated at 19d for cooperation with itwoi notches or equivalent in the disc 21, one notch 26 for receiving the offset 19d to hold the wire switch member 19 in its open-circuit position, that is to say, to retain the exposed portion offits exteriorI end 18 out of contact with the metal of the end cap 16, and the other notch 27 freely receiving the offset portion 19d to permit the exposed portion of the exterior end 18 to engage under pressure to electrically contact, say at the edge 21a, with the metal of the end ca 16 and therewith with the metal of the ashlight casing 10, for the closed-circuit position of -the switch.

, If desired, the switch retaining means may be constructed to positively hold the movable switch member in its closed-circuit position,

in lieu of or in cooperation with the resiliency effect of the material of the wire switch member, to effect the necessary pressure for electrical engagement at its closed-circuit position.

The modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8 embodies my invention by the use of wire which is not insulated, the electrical insulation being otherwise properly provided, as on the ad`acent faces of the end cap. In this modification as'illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, a layer 28, facing, etc., of insulation is applied tothe inner face of the end cap 16, and also at 28a' about at least a portion of the inner face of the cylindrical flan-ge of the end cap 16, the Wire switch member 19 in this' instance being without insulation. The insulation 28a also extends within the marv ginaloutline of the slot 17 of the end cap 16, to thereby hold and insulate the wire switch member 19 when in its open-circuit position. When the wire switch member 19 is in its closed-circuit position, it engages the electrically conducting material of the end cap.16.

The modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8 also illustrate another arrangement of frictionally positioning the body of the wire switch member 19 interiorly of the end cap 16, without the use of lugs, recesses, etc., the wire switch member 19 in this instance being bent in spiral fashion, its bends engaging the insulation 28a on the interior of the cylindrical face of the end cap 16.

For the testing of the integrity of fuses, electrical bulbs, and other suitable electrica-l articles, the exterior end 18 of the switch member is set in its open-circuit position and the article to be tested, such as a cartridge fuse 30 indicated in Fig. 1 in dot-and-dash line, is placed in any suitable manner to have its one terminal 30a engage the exposed exterior portion 18 of my switch member and vits opposite terminal 306 engage the metal of the flashlight casing or end cap. In the condition of integrity of the fuse or other electrical article, thebulb 12 of the flashlight is lighted. The non-lighting of the flashlight bulb 12 is proof of the non-integrity of the tested electrical article. It will be appreciated that with any electric bulb, fuse plug, etc., tobe tested, the central terminal of the same is placed in contact with the exposed exterior end 18 of my switch member and the exterior metal terminal in direct engagement with the metal of the end cap 16.

lVhereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific formations thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications vmay be made without departing from the spirit ofv the invention.

I claim:

1. A switch for a flash light or the like provided with a casing in whole or in part of electricallyvconducting material and enclosing one or more electric cells, andincluding an end cap, comprising in combination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the flash light casing and having an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and electrically contact with a cell casing, an end of said switch member extending exteriorly of the flash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electrical connection with the flash light casing for its closed-circuit position, and means for engaging and retaining said movable switch member in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the flash light casing.

2. A switch for a flash light or the like provided with a casing in whole or in art of electrically conducting material lan enclosing one or more electric cells, and including an end cap, comprising in combination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of .and insulated from the flash light casing and having an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and electrically contact with a cell casing, an end of said switch member extending exteriorly of the flash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electrical connection with the flash light casing for its closed-circuit position, and means for engaging and retaining said movable switch member in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the flash light casing, said electrical connection of said switch member at its closed-circuit position being effected by the resiliency of the material of said movable switch member.

3. A switch for a flash light or the like provided with a casing in whole or in part of electrically conducting material and enclosing one on more electric cells, and including an end cap, comprising in combination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the flash light casing and having an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and electrically Contact with a cell casing, an end of said switch member extending exteriorlyV of the flash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electrical connection with the flash light casing for its closed-circuit position, a disk disposed within said flash light casing to which said movable switch member is fulcrumed, and means for engaging and retaining said movable switch member in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the flash light casing.

.4. A switch for a flash light or the light provided with a casing in whole or in part of electrically conducting material and enclosing one or more electric cells, and including,

an end cap, comprising in combination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the flash light casing and having an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and electrically Contact with acellcasing, an end of said switch member extending exteriorly of the flash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electrical connection with the flash light'casing for its closed-circuit posii tion, a disk disposed within said flash light casing to which said movable switch member is fulcrumed, and means for engaging and retaining said movable switch member in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the Hash light casing, said electrical connection of said switch member at its closed-circuit position -being eHected by the resiliency of the material of said movable switch member.

5. A switch for a Hash light or the like provided with a casing in whole or in part of electrically conducting material and enclosing one or more electric cells, and including an end cap, comprising in combination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the Hash light casing and having an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and electrically contact with a cell casing, an end of said switch member extending exteriorly of the Hash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electrical connection with theJ Hash light casing for Iits' closed-circuit position, a disk provided with a recess receivlng said movable switch memr uni Y e same an ber and thereb fulc t ng th d means for engaging and retaining said mov-y able switch member in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the Hash light casing.

6. A switch for a flash light or the like provided with acasing in whole or in part of electrically conducting material and enclosing one or more electric cells, and including an end cap, comprising in combination amovable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the flash light casmg and having' an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and electrically contact with a cell casing, an end of said switch member extending exteriorly of the Hash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electrical connection with the Hash light casing for itsclosedcircuit position, a disk provided with a recess receiving said movable switch member and thereby fulcruming the same, and means for engaging and retaining said movable switch member in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the Hash light casing, said electrical connection of said switch member at its closed-circuit position'being effected by the resiliency of the material of said movable switch member.

7. A switch for a flash light or the like prowith the Hash light casing for its closedcircuit position, a disk serving to fulcrum said movable switch member, and means carried by said disk for engaging and retaining said movable switch in its open-circuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electrical connection with the Hash light easing.

8. A switch for a Hash light or the like provided with a casing in whole or in part of electrically conducting material and enclosing one or more electric cells, and including an end cap, comprising in combination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the Hash light casing and having an inner portion thereof exposed to engage and' electrically contact with a cell casing, an end of` said switch member extending exteriorly of the Hash light casing for manual operation, a portion of said exterior end being exposed for electriyend being exposed for electrical connection cal connection with the Hash light casing for its closed-circuit position, a disk serving to fulcrum said movable switch member, and means carried by said disk for engaging and retaining said movable switch in its opencircuit position whereby said exposed portion of the outer end of said member is out of electricall connection with the Hash light casing, said electrical connection of said switch member at its closed-circuit position being eected by the resiliency of the material of said movable switch member.

In testimony whereof l have signed this specification this 8th day of Nov.,- 1980.

CLARENCE E. PRYOR.

vided with a casing in whole or in part of electrically conducting material and enclosing one or more electric cells, and including an end cap, comprising in fmnbination a movable switch member of resilient electrically conducting material extending interiorly of and insulated from the flash light casing and 

